Bomb shackle release



Dec. 26, 1950 D. E. SCHWARTZ EIAL 2,535,095

BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE Filed July 23, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 awe/whom In DANIEL E. SCHWARTZ ROBERT E. KEMELHOR Dec. 26, 1950 D. E. SCHWARTZ ETAL BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE s Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1948 ZVWC/YVCOW DANlEL E. SCHWARTZ ROBERT E. KEMELHOR If!I!IIfIIIIII!flllllllfllflllr/llllr/llllllllII/III Dec. 26,1950 0. E. SCHWARTZ ETAL semi SHACKLE RELEASE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 23, 1948 :JH/UQ/YVtOW DANIEL E. SCHWARTZ ROBERT E. KEMELHOR Dec. 26, 1950 Filed July 23, 1948 FIG. 6

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D. E. SCHWARTZ ETAL BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE 6 Sheets-Sheet gwvcmfow Dec. 26, 1950 D. E. SCHWARTZ ETAL 2,535,095

BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE Filed July 23, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 v E 5 'il'lllljm 4 ill m 2. E E um m 2 ,1\\\ 2 I 'tld illlhllil m 2 B 2 E Q Q g (D g '1 w g DANIEL E.SCHWARTZ ROBERT E. KEMELHOR Dec. 26, 1950 D. E. SCHWARTZ ETAL 2,535,095

BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE Filed July. 23, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. IO

(0 m l 9 [L N 7 co :0 s m 2 2 Q i L I Qrwwwlo w ANIEL E. SCHWARTZ OBERT E KEMELHOR Patented Dec. 26, 1950 ENT DFHCE BOMB SHACKLE RELEASE Daniel E. Schwartz, Narrowsburg, and Robert E. Kernelhor, Bronx, N. Y.

Application July 23, 1948, Serial No. 40,413

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a bomb shackle release and more particularly to a bomb shackle release of the electromagnetic type for releasing bomb suspension equipment in an aircraft and for performing the necessary internal electrical switching required for aircraft bomb release systems.

The prior art devices have employed a spring loaded rod held in cocked position by a mechanical stop member whose position is controlled by an electric relay. When the relay is energized its latching armature is attracted and releases the release armature which is then attracted causing the stop member to be moved out of position and thus freeing the spring loaded rod. At the end of the energization of the relay the release armature is released and moves back into position thereby closing the transfer switch contacts and opening the relay contacts of the release mechanism. The closing of the transfer switch contacts completes a circuit to the shackle release at the next bomb rehase station.

It has been found that these prior art mechanisms are susceptible to shock, particularly that created by violent acceleration of the craft, and that this shock causes the release of the stop member and the inadvertent release of the bomb. Furthermore, it has been found that the shock, although insuificient to cause actuation of the release mechanism, has caused accidental closing of the transfer contacts thereby completing the circuit to the next bomb release mechanism and causing release of the succeeding bomb either at the same time or too shortly after the release of the first one.

An object of this invention is the provision of a bomb release mechanism which is exceedingly smaller in size and in weight than the prior mechanisms and yet exerts a greater force than that heretof re attainable.

Another obiect is to provide an improved release mechanism that is less susceptible to premature release under high shock loads.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a release mechanism having a transfer switching device operable automatically in synchronism with the bomb release actuator.

Still an ther object of this invention is to provide a bomb release mechanism employing a rotary magnet to trigger the locking mechafism and thereby operating the bomb release only upon proper energization.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the annexed drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments, and wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates, in perspective, my invention shown in place upon a conventional bomb release shackle.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the invention as shown in cocked position,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 taken in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2 taken in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective of the armature of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the release mechanism in cocked position.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the mechanism of Fig. 6 in released position.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 6 taken in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the transfer switching mechanism to be used with the release mechanism of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-J0 of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters desi nate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Fig. 1 a conventional bomb release shackle S having the usual release lever II and bomb supporting ho ks I2. The release mecha nism l5 of the present invention is shown mounted upon the top surface of the frame of the shackle, said mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2, comprising a two-part cylindrical housing IE, ll, scaled together by means of member IS. A solenoid I9 is mounted within one end of the housing I! and comprises a cap 20, an inner sleeve 21 and a member 22. A ram or push-rod 23, comprising a heavy core 2 1 and a sleeve 25 joined to the head 26 of the core 24 by means of welding or the like, is mounted centrally of the solenoid IS, the cap 20 forming a suitable bearing for the ram 23. Member 22 of solenoid I9 is bored as at 21 to form a shoulder 28 and to permit the undercut end 29 of core 2 to pass therehrough. A heavy compression spring 38 is mounted on the ram 23 between the head 26 and the shoulder 28 to provide a loading means for the ram, the ring 3| fixed to the free end of sleeve 25 forming a limit for the outward movement of ram 23 by engagement with cap 20.

The member 22 of solenoid I9 is aligned by means of a pin 32 fixed in said member and projecting upwardly through a slot 33 formed in the sleeve 2| adjacent to the end thereof. Member 22 is machined to form a bearing 34 over which is fitted a spring loaded armature 35 comprising an inner ring 36 and an outer sleeve 31, which is, for example, sweat-fitted over ring 36. The outer sleeve 31 is connected to one end of a coil spring 38, the other end of the spring being fixed to the member 22 thereby providing a loading means for armature 35.

Balls 39 mounted in recesse 45 are adapted to fit within the undercut portion of the ram 23 thereby holding said ram in cocked position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by means of the armature ring 36. Ring 35 is also provided with recesses M (Fig. 3) whose function will be later described. Armature 35 is retained upon the member 22 by means of a snap ring 42 fitting within a groove 43 formed in the member 22, and is spaced from the edge of sleeve 2I by means of a thrust bearing 44 provided between the inner end of ring 35 and shoulder 45 of member 22.

The transfer switch member 41 in positioned adjacent the end of housing I6 and is held in such position in any suitable manner, there being an automatic resetting device 46 positioned between the end of ram 23 and the switch member 41. The resetting device is T-shaped and comprises a tubular member 48 having two outwardly extending rods 49 securely fixed thereto adjacent its outer end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Rods 49 are arranged to reciprocate within slots 55 formed in a tubular member i carried by member 22 and are thus constrained against rotary motion. A compression pring 52 is mounted between head 53 of tubular member 48 and hollow boss 54 of switch member 41.

Pole pieces 55 are formed integral with the outer sleeve 31 of armature 35, as shown in Fig. 2, and are adapted to align themselves with stationary pole pieces 56 carried by the housing I5 when the solenoid I9 is energized. The pole pieces 55 of the armature 35 are provided with cam faces 51 for cooperating with the rods 49 in a manner to be described below.

Switch member 41 comprises a rota ing switch 60 mounted over boss 54 and held thereon by means of a snap ring 6| seated in a groove 62 formed in said boss 54. A coil spring 63 is provided as a load for switch 60 and has one end attached to a stationary portion of member 4! its o her end being connected to switch 60. Rotary switch 60 has a plurality of spring contacts, two being shown at 64 and 55, which are adapted to engage stationary contacts on member 41, two being shown at 56 and 51. Contacts 66 and 6! are connected to the external circuit by means of leads 68 and 69 contained in cable I3. Switch 60 carries a stop member II and a stop member 13 while rod 49 carries a pin member I2 for the purpose of resetting the mechanism in the manner to be set forth below.

The operation of this embodiment is as follows:

When an electrical energy impulse is received through cable II! it completes a circuit through one of the leads, the switch, solenoid I9 and through a ground return. Energization of the solenoid sets up a magnetic field between the movable pole pieces 55 and the stationary pole pieces 56, causing said movable pieces and armature 35 to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 3. As the armature 35 rotates against the spring loading of spring 33 recesses 4| in the armature align with the recesses 45 and, due to the radial component of the force exerted by ram 23 and spring load 33, balls 39 are forced radially outwardly into the recess 4! thereby permitting the ram 23 to spring forward under the spring load until ring 3| engages cap 20.

When ram 23 is released resetting device 45 moves forward along slots 50 until rods 49 engage member 22, the rods 49 being free of the cam faces 51 of pole piece 55.

41 is maintained in its closed position by means of the engagement of sto member II with pole piece 55. Thus, so long as the impulse is maintained, the rotary switch 60 is maintained in its initial setting and, therefore, prevents the accidental release of the succeeding bomb.

At the end of the impulse the magnetic field is broken and the armature 35 returns to its initial position as shown in Fig. 3 carrying pole piece along with it. Rotary switch 65 is then free to rotate to its transfer switching position, under load spring 63, in which a circuit is completed to the succeeding release mechanism. As the armature 35 rotates to its initial osition under the spring 38 load, balls 39 are again forced radially inwardly but are prevented from leaving recess 4!] completely due to the contour of said recess as shown in Fig. 2.

In resetting the device, an inwardly directed axial force is exerted manually, or otherwise, on the outer end or head 25 of ram 23. As ram 23 is forced inwardly, resetting device 46 including member 48 and rods 49 moves inwardly towards switch 60. Since resetting device 45 is constrained to move axially in slots 50, the engagement of rod 49 on the cam surfaces 51 of pole piece 55 causes said pole piece and armature 35 to rotate to its energized position thereby aligning recesses 40 and 4! and permitting balls 39 to again enter said recesses so that ram 23 is free to return to its initial cocked position. When rods 49 drop free of pole piece 55, as shown in Fig. 2, armature 35 returns to its cocked position under load spring 38 thereby forcing balls 39 into the undercut portions of ram 23, as shown in Fig. 2, and maintaining said rod in cocked position. Furthermore, as armature 35 is rotated to its energized position by rods 49, pole piece 55 engages stop member II thereby returning rotary switch to its initial closed position. When rods 49 pass free of pole pieces 55, pin 72 on the rods moves into position to engage stop member 13 and thereby stops rotary switch 50 in its closed position as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9, wherein a second embodiment of the release device and transfer switching device is shown, the mechanism comprises a two-part cylindrical housing IIB, I I1 which may be made unitary. A solenoid H9 is mounted within one end of the housing Ill and comprises a cap I20, an inner sleeve I2I, and a member I22. The solenoid may be made unitary, if desired, but, as shown in Fig. 6, member I22 and sleeve I2I are held in aligned position by means of pin I32, and a lead into the coil of the solenoid is shown at II8. A ram or pushrod I23, comprising a heavy core I24 and a sleeve I25 joined to the head I26 of the core I24 by means of threading or the like, is mounted centrally of the solenoid I I9, the cap I20 forming a suitable bearing for the ram.

Member I 22 of solenoid H9 is bored as at I21 to form a shoulder I28 for positioning a heavy compression spring I35 mounted on the ram I23 between shoulder I29 formed on one end of sleeve I25 and said shoulder I28. Spring I30 provides a loading means for ram I23, the ring I3I fixed to the free end of sleeve I25 forming a limit for the outward movement of ram I23 by engagement with the buffer spring I33. Member I22 is machined to form a bearing I34 over which is fitted, a spring loaded armature I35 comprising preferably an inner ring I35 and an outer sleeve I31 which may, if desired, be made unitary.

Switch member (9 Qgter sleeve I3! is connected to one end of a coil spring I378, the other end of the spring being connected to member I22 so as to provide a loading means for armature I35.

Balls I39 mounted in recesses I40 in member I22 are adapted to fit within the undercut portion II of the ram I23 thereby holding said ram in cocked position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, by means of the armature ring I36. Ring I36 is provided with recesses I4I, as shown in Fig. 8, for the function set forth in the explanation of the operation of the first embodiment. Armature I35 is held in place upon member I22 by means of a snap ring I42 fitting within a groove I43 formed in the member I22 and'by means of bearings 144. The inner end I45 of ram I23 may be made separable, as shown, or unitary, whichever is more desirable.

Armature I35 comprises a plurality of movable pole pieces I55, as shown in Fig. 8, while a similar number of stationary pole pieces I56 are secured to the casing I" by means of screws I51, or any suitable fastening means. Stop members I58 are secured to the casing, as shown in Fig. 8, to limit the movement of the movable pole pieces I 55, and screws or the like I59 are threaded in the pole pieces I55 to permit the initial adjustment of the movable pole pieces relative to the stationary pieces. Preferably, this adjustment is made so that the pole pieces are edge to edge in the cocked position as indicated in Fig. 8. Clamping means 160 are provided in casing I I! for coopera tion with prongs I6'I in casing H6 for aligning. the casing sections.

Reference is now had to Figs. 9 and 10 which disclose the transfer switch mechanism used with the release mechanism of Fig. 6. A switch mechanism 14s comprises a plurality of spring contacts, three pairs being shown at I41, I43 and I49, said contacts being arranged to complete the necessary circuit from the external supply to the solenoid lid of Fig. 6. One contact of each of said pairs is carried by a spring lever I55 supporting a link member I5! at one end thereof, the other end of link l5I being connected to a double hook I52 welded, or otherwise secured to a pivoted. member :53 of magnetic material. Supported on casing H6 is another magnetizable member 454 which is adapted to contact the stationary pole piece I56 in casing II! when the entire unit is assembled while member I53 engages the movabe pole piece I55. Member I53 is pivoted at I52 and is retained in the position shown in Fig. 9 by means of leaf spring I55.

The operation of the embodiment of Fi s. 6 to 1G is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment and when an impulse is received from the external circuit it energizes solenoid IIS causing the production of a magnetic field and the rotation of armature E to release the locking balls 5.39 and spring-loaded ram I23. In the released position, balls I39 are held in the recesses I49 and MI by means of the inner end I45 of ram I23, as shown in Fig. '7, thus preventing the armature from returning to its initial cocked position after the impulse ceases. In resetting the device, ram I23 is forced inwardly, either manua ly or otherwise, until the undercut portions H5 of ram I23 are aligned With balls I39 at which time the balls E39 are forced back into recesses I48 and undercut portion '5 by means of load spring I33 thereby causing the armature I35 to rotate back into its initial cocked position, as shown in Fig. 6.

In the initial cocked position, as shown in Fig. 6 end I45 of ram I23 is positioned against member I 63 holding member I53 against the end I54 of member I54 thereby closing contacts I49 while holding contacts I41 and I48 open. The electrical energy is supplied to the solenoid I-I9 through closed contacts I49, these contacts remaining closed until the end of the impulse. These contacts remain closed during the duration of the inipuse by means of the parallel or bleeder flux path set up in elements I53 and I54. Thus, even through ram I23 is released and end I45 no longer holds member I53 against end I64 of member I54, the magnetic field set up in these members is sufficient to maintain them in closed position, although it need not be sufiicient to effectuate a closing. Therefore, until the impulse is ended contacts I41 and I48 remain open and no circuit is completed to the succeeding release mechanism, thereby preventing inadvertent actuation of said succeeding mechanism. When the impulse ceases, the magnetic field is broken and member 53 returns to its open position under load spring E59 closing contacts I4! and i453 and opening contact I49, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In resetting, end I45 again depresses member IGS thus closing contacts I49 and holding the mechanism in its initial cocked position.

The mechanism of this invention is 65% smaller, 50% lighter and exerts a 35% greater force than any of the heretofore known bomb release mechanisms and has been found to contain excellent shock characteristics whereby almost all inadvertent actuations have been completely eliminated. This is due to a large extent, though not entirely, to the fact that the shock force must e extremey large and complex before an accidental actuation will occur.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

l. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a loaded member; locking means for retaining said member in cocked position; means energizable by the impulse for generating a magnetic field; and biased rotatable means positioned coaxial with said member and rotatably actuated by the magnetic field against said bias for releasing said locking means from said loaded member, said loaded member being arranged to move into operative position upon release of said locking means.

2. A release mechanism according to claim 1 and a transfer switch operable in response to cessation of the impulse for competing a circuit to a succeeding release mechanism.

3. A release mechanism according to claim 1 and a first set of contacts for completing a first circuit for applying the impulse to said generating means, means for maintaining said contacts closed during the duration of the impulse; a second set of contacts for completing a circuit to a succeeding release mechanism; and means for maintaining said second contacts open until the 7 7 cessation of said impulse after release of said member.

4. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a loaded member; locking means for retaining said member in cocked position; means surrounding said member and energizable by the impulse for generating a magnetic field; and permeable means rotatable about said member by said magnetic field for releasing said locking means from said loaded member whereby said loaded member is moved into operative position upon application of the impulse.

5. A bomb release mechanism comprising: a solenoid for generating a magnetic field; a spring loaded ram axially positioned with. respect to said solenoid; a permeable member rotatable by said magnetic field; and locking means operable by said member for maintaining said ram in cocked position, said permeable member being arranged to release said locking means upon rotation of said member in said magnetic field.

6. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a spring loaded actuating ram; a solenoid coil energized by the impulse for generating a magnetic field, said coil being concentric with and encircling said ram; locking means encircling said ram for normally retaining said ram in cocked position; and a rotatable permeable member surrounding said locking means, said member being rotated by said magnetic field to release said locking means for permitting said ram to move into operative position.

7. An electrical impulse actuated bomb release mechanism comprising: a spring loaded actuating ram; locking means concentric with and encircling said ram for retaining said ram in cocked position; a spring loaded rotatable permeable member surrounding said locking means, said member being operable in its normal position to retain said locking means in its locking posit on, and in its rotated position to release said locking means; and a solenoid coil energized by the impulse for producing a magnetic field for rotating said member, said coil being concentric with and encircling said rod.

8. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a cylindrical casing a solenoid coil energizable by the impulse for producing a magnetic field, said coil being concentric with and within said casing; a spring loaded actuating ram concentrio with said coil and said casing, said ram having an undercut portion; ball locking means normally positioned insaid undercut portions for retaining sa d ram in cocked position; and a permeable member surrounding said locking means for normally maintaining said locking means in looking position, said member being rotatable by said magnetic field for releasing said locking means whereby sa d ram is permitted to move into actuating position.

9. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a loaded actuating ram; means energ zed by the impulse for generating a magnetic field; locking means normally retaining said ram in cocked position; a rotatable permeable member surrounding said locking means, said member being rotated by sa d magnetic field for releasing said locking means; a set of contacts for applying said impulse to said generating means, said switch being normally closed by said ram; and a pair of permeable members connected to said generating means and said rotatable member for maintaining said contacts closed for the duration of the impulse.

19. A mechanism according to claim 9 including a second set of contacts for completing a circuit to a succeeding release mechanism; and means for maintaining said second contacts open when said first contacts are closed.

11. A bomb release mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a loaded member; lOckiIlg means for retaining said member in cocked position; means energizable by the impulse for generating a magnetic field; permeable means rotatable by said magnetic field for releasing said locking means from said loaded member to permit said loaded member to move into actuating position; a switch for completing the circuit to said generating means, said switch being retained closed by said loaded member in its cocked position; and means responsive to said magnetic field for completing an auxiliary flux path to hold said switch closed for the duration of said impulse.

12. A mechanism according to claim 11 including a transfer switch for completing an electrical circuit to a succeeding release mechanism; and means for actuating said transfer switch to closed position upon cessation of said impulses after release of said loaded member.

13. A bomb releas mechanism actuated by an electrical impulse, said mechanism comprising: a loaded member; locking means for retaining sa'd member in cocked position; means energizable by the impulse for generating a magnetic field; permeable means rotatable by said magnetic field for releasing said locking means from said loaded member to permit said loaded member to move into actuating position; and a rotary switch operable by said permeable means for completing a circuit to said generatin means, said switch remaining closed for the duration of the impulse.

14. A mechanism according to claim 13 wherein said switch comprises a pair of contacts for completing a circuit to a succeed'ng release mechanism, said pair of contacts remaining open for the duration of the impulse,

15. A mechanism according to claim 13 and reciprocating means movable with said loaded member, said recprocating means maintaining said rotary switch in closed position when said loaded member is in cocked position.

16. A mechanism according to claim 13 wherein said permeable means includes means for holding sad rotary switch in closed position for the duration of the impulse after said loaded member has been released.

DANIEL E. SCHWARTZ. ROBERT E. KEMELHOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 552,924 Reynolds Jan. 14, 1896 1,421,317 Snell et a1 June 27, 1922 1,510,445 Henry Sept. 30, 1924 2,216,620 List Oct. 1, 1940 2 289,227 Walker July '7, 1942 2,319,279 Watkins May 18, 1943 2,329,182 Boynton Sept. 14, 1943 

